The Almighty Dominance

One hour later, Alex and Josephine stepped onto the rooftop lounge.

The city stretched out around them, glittering like spilled diamonds.

The place was sleek, stylish-soft music in the air, groups of friends sipping drinks, laughing, pretending to live in a dream.

"Josephine! Over here!"

A man shot to his feet the moment they entered, waving with far too much eagerness.

His eyes clung to Josephine like a starving dog to a bone, the kind of hunger so raw it made everyone in the lounge turn and notice.

Alex traced the sound through the crowd, his gaze sharp, weighing each face.

Then one figure cut through the noise of strangers, impossible to ignore-she glowed like a peacock flaunting its feathers in full display.

She was stunning.

Youthful, delicate, her oval face shaped like fine porcelain, her features so refined they seemed sculpted by careful hands.

She wore innocence like a crown, polished and flawless, a purity so perfect it almost blinded.

One glance from her could hook a man's soul and drag him under.

But Alex wasn't fooled. He saw the truth flicker in her eyes.

The sweetness was nothing but a mask, a role she had mastered long ago. She didn't just attract attention-she hunted it, fed on it, lived for it.

Things are not always what they seem; the first appearance deceives many.

But not the few who know where to look.

"Sorry we're late," Josephine said brightly, though her body stiffened under the stares.

She plastered on a smile, forcing warmth where discomfort hid. Then, with deliberate boldness, she hooked her arm through Alex's.

"Everyone, this is Alex." Her lips curved into a mischievous grin. "My boyfriend."

The word dropped like a stone in a glass pond. Silence rippled across the group. Several men's faces twisted, their eyes hard with envy, hostility flickering like flames.

Josephine ignored them. She tugged Alex forward, guiding him straight to the radiant girl.

Her voice lowered to a conspiratorial whisper. "That's Giselle. She grew up with me in the orphanage, but a wealthy family adopted her. Even back then, she was too beautiful to be ignored."

Facing the girl, Josephine's smile widened. "Alex, this is Giselle Laurent. The country's rising star. Millions already adore her."

"Jo, don't exaggerate." Giselle pouted, feigning humility. "I'm just a beginner. Still a long way from fame."

slipping an arm over her shoulder like an

is angelic, and your beauty matches it-like something unearthly. As a newcomer, you've already taken

matter of time before you rise even

always been my supporter, Jo. My bestie since we were kids!" Giselle hugged

outsider

her lips

starts snapping pictures and splashes them all

replied smoothly, not a crack in her smile. "If he's Josephine's boyfriend, I trust

soured. “I don't.

fights better than

him? A thug? A bodyguard?

sharp, his resentment plain for all

set his sights on Giselle, but she soared too high, always out of

he turned to Josephine-just as beautiful, just as angelic, but far

had chased her for years, only to be shut

another man before his

piling on. "Martin's right. This stranger doesn't fit in. Giselle's too kind to tolerate someone

soft heart," another

off the street, she'd treat it like gold. Maybe that's all this man is-a

already glaring at Alex, itching to

narrowed eyes

enough of that," Josephine cut in quickly, her tone sharp but smooth, desperate to steer

all here, let Giselle sing

they knew better than to push further when Giselle was

to risk being cast out of her circle. Reluctantly, they pulled back, forcing fake smiles and muttering

Giselle sing," one man said, sucking up fast. "We're

us waiting," another called

with a soft smile. "Alright, I'll

lights catching her flawless

from every corner of the lounge. Even strangers-powerful-looking VIPs nursing expensive whiskey in the far corner-paused their

stealing the spotlight," one of them muttered with greedy

stood beneath the

And when she opened her mouth to sing, her voice cut through the

was so pure, so entrancing, it froze the crowd in

singers in the world, had to

note faded, the rooftop

cheered, and clapped until the air

the stage, his cheap

pretty thing," he drawled, leering. "Lucky night for you. My boss

him. You'll get everything you've ever dreamed

"I'm sorry,

"Come on, sweetheart. You're just a singer. Everyone's got a price. Name it. My boss is loaded You should be grateful thank your guardian angel for putting you in